Loading, please wait...
_900x900.jpg "Roman Life-Size Marble Statue of an Important Magistrate")
_200x200.jpg "Roman Life-Size Marble Statue of an Important Magistrate")
.jpg "Roman Life-Size Marble Statue of an Important Magistrate")
LOT 0129
Roman Life-Size Marble Statue of an Important Magistrate
LATE 3RD-EARLY 4TH CENTURY A.D.
81 in. (700+ kg, 206 cm including base).
Clad in a symmetrically incised late Roman toga, which was originally painted; the right hand covered by the robe and resting against his chest, the now lost left hand probably held a rank symbol or a scroll; short hair, cut according to the style of the Tetrarchy, wide eyes and pronounced lips; beard extended under the chin and on the throat; crepida sandal of Greek typology still visible on the right foot.
ProvenanceFrom the C.M. collection, Switzerland.
Formerly the property of his father, H.V.C., Munich, Germany; forming a central part of the H.V.C. family collection in the 1980s.
Acquired from the private collection of L.H. of Munich, Germany, in 1982.
Accompanied by a copy of a German cultural export licence.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Accompanied by a geological report No. TL3253 by geology consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12089-211955.
See Calza, R., Iconografia Romana Imperiale. Da Carausio a Giuliano (287-363 d. C.), Rome, 1972; L’Orange, H.P., Das spätantike Herrscherbild von Diokletian bis zu den Konstantin-Söhnen, 284-361 n. Chr. Das Römische Herrscherbild. III. Abteilung, Bd. 4, Berlin, 1984.
FootnotesThis statue of a Roman magistrate represents a high-ranking citizen with political and ritual responsibilities. The stylised facial features date it to the period of the Tetrachy under the Emperor Diocletian (284-305 A.D.), when representation of the human form began to show a concern for geometry and symmetry. A similar style can be seen in official portraits of Diocletian, Galerius, Constantinus Chlorus, and Maximianus Herculius. Despite the stylisation typical of the era, however, the sculptor of this lot has taken pains to add personal details, such as the dimpled chin and creased forehead. Its powerful resemblance to Imperial portraiture stems from the desire of magistrates to emulate emperors in the way they represented themselves. This is a piece of outstanding quality, and unlike other Late Roman sculptures, in which a portrait head is often attached to an earlier body, it appears to have been created as a whole. It shows exceptional attention to detail, including in the magistrate’s beautifully carved footwear. It is likely to represent an official of an Eastern Empire city, either in Greece or Illyria.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0129
Roman Life-Size Marble Statue of an Important Magistrate
Estimate £200,000 - 300,000€232,000 - 348,000 (for guidance only)$270,000 - 405,000 (for guidance only)
-
Roman Silver Dolphin Brooch
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
With detailing to the nose, fins, eye and tail; base with remains of pin lug and catchplate. 16.9 grams, 45 mm
From the collection of a Surrey gentleman; acquired 1970-1980. -
Roman Bronze Bird Statuette Group
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Group of three figures modelled in the round comprising: game bird (beak absent); goose with peg to underside and pierced tail; duck. 42 grams total, 27-39 mm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. -
Roman Danubian Votive Lead Plaque with Dioscuri and Helen of Troy
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,560
Displaying a figural scene in relief with an arch decorated with egg-and-dart motifs and resting on smooth pillars with foliate capitals; the upper field dominated by Sol wearing a radiate crown with seven rays and driving a facing quadriga, holding a globe in his left hand; the central field showing the Dioscuri on horseback, raising their right arm in salutation of their divine sister Helen of Troy at the centre, the twin on the left, whose horse is trampling a naked prisoner, followed by an armoured warrior holding an oval shield and spear, wearing a crested helmet in pseudo-Attic style, the twin on the left, whose horse is trampling over a big fish, followed by a character dressed in long garment and raising his hand in salute; the lower field showing worshippers preparing an offering meal; a coiled serpent to each top corner. 132 grams, 80 mm
Acquired in Germany in 2001. European private collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The complex iconography of the plaque relates to the pre-Christian religions of the Lower Danube region. It was concentrated on the figure of Sol Invictus, the sun god, who was often represented driving a quadriga. This cult came from the Near East but spread into the Roman Empire with imperial patronage; symbolism like this was part of the cult of Mithras that was found throughout the empire from Britain (a temple to Mithras can still be seen in the modern City of London) to its eastern coasts in the ancient colonies of Thracia and Dacia, Moesia, Pannonia and Dalmatia. The rest of the plaque shows worshippers (probably the donors of the votive plaque) who are preparing the offering meal, while the riders on horseback, the divine twins Castor and Pollux, evoke the cult of the Danubian rider. Their sister Helen of Troy stands at an altar of Sol like a priestess, representing fertility. As suggested by Aimone, the presence of the two horsemen seems suggest a military context, a connection underlined by the presence of the fully armoured soldier at the left. This iconography was very popular in the Roman Empire and lasted until the 4th century A.D., being also the subject of other artworks, like the fabulous tray in the recently published Wyvern collection (Aimone, 2020, pp.95ff.).
